Hugo e



Patented Jan. 6, 1931 f UNITED 'sfra'riaisg HUGO E. ENDERs, 0E BELLEVILLE, NEW JEEsEmAssIGNon To MoNnoEfcALcULATING MACHINE COMPANY, oF ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, A oonronnrIoN or DELAWAREk j nEGIsTEn@ fi:

Application led August 8, 1929,. Serial No. 384,338.

depressed and the adjacent keyslocked;

Figure 3 isa side view of a modification;

Figure 4 is a view thereof similar to Fig-l ure 2; and` l j Fig. 5 is a view of a key and locking strip, taken transversely of thek strip.

In these drawings the numeral 18 designates digital keys of a column, there being usually a plurality of such-columns, the stems of the keys being each provided with a shoulder 2,` under which a locking strip common to each column of keys is adapted to be slid to engage,the depression of any key of a column, causing the locking strip to be slid under the shoulders of the two keys adjacent thereto to prevent depression thereof simultaneously with the first named key.

The locking strips are each provided with Y a longitudinal series of cam r1ses or projections 4 located between alternate couples of keys of the column, low neck-portions 5 of the strip connecting said `cam rises or projections, being located between adjacent keys of said alternate couples.

Each projection 4 of the locking strip has two cam edges 6 inclined oppositely so that upon depression of any digital key of a column, the shoulder2 thereof will engage one `or the other of said cam edges and will cam the locking strip in one or the other direction. As` shown, alternate'keys engage simi-` larly inclined cam edges of the projections and adjacent keys engage oppositelyy inclined camedges. v

In the form of the invention shown in Fi uresY 1 and2 of the drawings, the opposite y parts as set forth in the append# pointed portions of'these projections are lof cated above the shoulders 2 of the keys, so

that when a key is depressed, these upper pointed portions of the cam projections will be-cammed against and underthe shoulders of thetwo keysadj acent thereto.

In the other form of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the oppositely inclined cam edges 6 of each. projection are Vconnected by a Vflattened upper v edge 7 of each projection, or in other words,

theupper pointed portions of the projections are cut olf or omitted. In this form of the invention upon depression of anykey of va column and engagement of a cam edge of one of the projections, the locking strip will be moved to cause the `top edges of the projections to be kmoved under the shoulders 2 of the two keys adjacent thereto to hold said adjacent keys solidly in raised position. Upon releaseof the key, the locking strip is returned to ^`normal centralized meansof a spring. f A

In the first form of the invention, a retraction spring for the locking strip is not needed,

inasmuch as in a succeeding' depression of any other keyy of the column, the locking strip, will either not need to be and will not be moved reversely, or the locking strip will be moved reversely to prevent simultaneous depression of adjacent keys, askwill be noted by an inspection of Figure 2.

I claim: j i

1. In a register having a column of keys, means including oppositely inclined cams arranged to alternate with successive pairs of keys for preventing simultaneous depression of any two adjacent keys.

2. Ina register having a column of keys the stems of which are provided with shoulders, means including a locking strip and oppositelyV inclined cams arranged to alterposition by ,y

nate with successive pairs of keys and mov- `V able under said shoulders for preventing simultaneous depression of adjacent keys. c

3. In a register having a column of keys, means for preventing simultaneous depression of any two adjacent keys including a locking strip common to the column and having oppositely inclined cams arranged to alternate with successive pairs of keys.

4. In a register having a column of keys, means for preventing simultaneous de ression of adjacent keys including a 10c ing strip common tol the column and having spaced projections provided each with oppositely inclined cam edges arranged to alternate with successive pairs of keys, the stems of the keys .having shouldersadaptedcto ,en-1 gagesaidcam edges.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

HUGO E. ENDERS'. l 

